Abstract
Sexual dimorphism in growth and maturation of individually tagged turbot (n= 421), Scophthalmus maximus Rafinesque, was studied in a long-lasting (20 months) growth experiment with four temperature regimes. The influence of onset of puberty and subsequent maturation on growth was evaluated. There were no initial size differences, but the final weight of females was larger than that of males at all temperature regimes, except at the lowest temperature. Surplus energy (sum of increase in somatic weight and gonad weight) in females was on average greater than in males from 8 months prior to first spawning. Significant growth (as specific growth rate, SGR) differences between maturing and immature fish were detected from the age of 9 months post hatch. Maturing females had the highest growth rate and reached the largest size (1.8 kg in 20 months), whereas male body weights reached a plateau and levelled off around 1.0 kg. To optimize production characteristics in turbot aquaculture and achieve more homogeneous growth, methods should be developed to produce all-female broods.
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